The new streaming audio and video format known as WebM is actually old news—sort of. Yet it will have significant implications for video on the web, now and in the future.

WebM is a new format that Google has offered to the online video community, consisting of both an open source audio and video codec under the file extension .webm. So one major reason that we should sit up and take notice of this codec and expect it to play a significant role in the future of video on the web is because of its importance to Google. The video codec is the codec formerly known as On2’s VP8. On2 announced VP8’s availability in 2008, but it never saw the light of day in products that you or I could use, for a variety of reasons. VP8 has been billed as a replacement for H.264 from the very first announcement of the technology, a 2008 press release titled “On2 VP8 Surpasses H.264, VC-1, Real Video in Quality and Performance.” Until Google acquired On2 earlier this year, the codec had never been properly compared to H.264 to validate the claims. After the WebM format was released in May 2010, the claims of H.264 superiority received a few rapid independent tests, both of which bring the claims of superiority over H.264 into question. Expect additional, more substantial tests in the coming months to further explore the claims of the past 2 years.

Google expressed interest in the acquisition of On2 to gain access to the technology, which Google and the open source community needed in order to make a defensive move in the battle for browser video playback without a browser. To better understand this battle, we have to look at the audio codec. Ogg Vorbis, part of the Ogg project that also spawned the open source Theora video codec, does a decent job at audio compression.

Vorbis has been around for about 5 years, although it’s not nearly as popular as the mainstream MPEG-2 Layer 3 (MP3) or Advanced Audio Compression (AAC) audio codecs found in DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, MP3 players, and iTunes.

The video codec, Theora, on the other hand, was—by today’s standards—a horribly inefficient video codec, and understandably so. It was decade-old technology based on an open sourced version of On2 Technologies’ earlier VP3 codec, which itself was based on H.263—a standards-based videoconferencing codec—which was based on H.261 … well, you get the picture.

Because Ogg Theora was based on decade-old technology, the open source community had trouble getting buy-in from some browser manufacturers for Ogg technologies’ ultimate goal: replacing mainstream codecs within browsers and video players.

The draft specification for the next version of HyperText Markup Language (HTML) called for audio and video tags (with “” and “” as literal HTML tags) to be available as part of HTML5. The idea within the open source community was for audio and video playback to occur directly within in the browser, with no need for players such as Adobe’s Flash Player, Apple’s QuickTime, and Microsoft’s Silverlight.

The “” tag would launch Ogg Vorbis audio, the “” tag would launch Ogg Theora video, and the rest would happen seamlessly.

Except some browser manufacturers disagreed during the draft specification discussion. Some of the reasons against having Ogg Vorbis audio and Ogg Theora video defined as the de facto codecs for the “” and “” tags were based partly on technology and partly on adoption rates: H.264 had a significant quality advantage over Theora, as well as a significant market share.

In the end, the browser manufacturers were split on their decision to support Ogg versus H.264 video and AAC audio, so the tags were set up in such a way as to call particular video and audio codecs, depending on the browser.

This brings us back around to VP8. The door was left open during the draft specification discussion to designate the tags for discrete codecs if a better quality open source codec emerged. The VP8 technology acquisition by Google, followed by the release of the VP8 code under an open source BSD (permissive-free) license, means that the open source community may have the technological firepower to force Ogg Vorbis and VP8 into the default codec roles.

The one thing that Google did right in the release of WebM was to eliminate the older Ogg container as well as Theora and replace them with the newer Matroska container (the M in WebM) and VP8, respectively.

In the end, it looks like we’ll have both the ability to encode WebM formats with traditional tools (support has been announced by major encoding and transcoding tool companies) and the ability to play back WebM files within a few distinct browsers, such as Mozilla’s Firefox. Consumers and content producers both win, as the WebM format provides a royalty-free way to deliver adequate web video and audio, once its own potential royalty issues are resolved.

Tim Siglin (writer@braintrustdigital.com) is chairman of Braintrust Digital, a digital media production company, and co-founder of consulting firm Transitions, Inc. He consults on digital media “go to market” strategies and also blogs on metadata issues at www.workflowed.com.

Following the 25th anniversary of its industry-leading Handycam product line, Sony today announced the innovative NEX-VG10 Interchangeable Lens HD Camcorder. The new NEX-VG10 is the world's first consumer camcorder with interchangeable lenses and the first Handycam camcorder to feature an extra-large Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. "The NEX-VG10 takes Sony's Handycam line to the next level by allowing unprecedented artistic expression that isn't possible with conventional consumer video cameras," said Andy Bubala, director of Sony's camcorder business. "With this camcorder, video enthusiasts and photographers can now capture cinematic full HD movies and premium stereo sound."

Sony's NEX-VG10 Interchangeable Lens HD Handycam Camcorder is equipped with the same Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor used in the "NEX-5" and "NEX-3" digital cameras and compatible with the high grade "E-mount" series of smaller, lighter lenses optimized for video shooting with silent operation and AF. It is also compatible with a wealth of "A-mount" interchangeable lenses used by Sony's existing alpha DSLR camera lineup via a mount adapter (sold separately), including award winning Sony G Lenses and Carl Zeiss branded lenses.

Coupled with Sony's powerful BIONZ processor, the camcorder's ExmorTM APS HD CMOS sensor realizes high resolution video and 14 megapixel still images. Approximately 19.5 times bigger than the standard sensor found in conventional camcorders, the APS HD CMOS sensor enables an extremely shallow depth of field. This allows videographers to achieve cinematic results with stunning background defocus (bokeh). Users can also enjoy DSLR-quality photo capture with features like Auto HDR, Handheld Twilight, and Anti Motion Blur, as well as catch fast action sequences with a continuous burst rate of up to seven fps.

The NEX-VG10 can capture full 1920x1080 high definition video at up to 24Mbps for amazing clarity and detail, ideal for recording on to Blu-ray DiscTM media. It also comes with an E-mount 18-200mm lens optimized for video shooting that offers a powerful 11x optical zoom in addition to a silent auto-focus system and Optical SteadyshotTM image stabilization with Active Mode for superior versatility.

Satisfying the needs of serious videographers, sound quality matches the stellar imaging performance of the NEX-VG10. Its Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone uses advanced processing algorithms to combine signals from four individual microphone capsules.The result is exceptionally clear stereo audio with high directional response, allowing videographers to capture more sound from their subject and less background noise. The camcorder also features dedicated inputs for optional external microphones and headphones to monitor sound levels.

Compact and easy to handle, the NEX-VG10 gives videographers the flexibility of a removable lens with the ergonomics and operability of a Handycam camcorder. An intuitive jog dial and hotkeys make it easy to navigate menus and adjust shooting parameters, including full manual control of Iris, Shutter Speed, Gain and White Balance for professional results.

Dual accessory shoes (Alpha Hot Shoe/Universal Cold Shoe) allow for many still photography and video accessories, such as the ECM-CG50 shotgun microphone and external flash lighting. There's also a choice of rechargeable battery options, including the NP-FV100 that provides up to 315 minutes of continuous HD shooting (may vary), and a specially designed soft carrying case.

Included with purchase as a download voucher ($99 value), Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 video editing software includes powerful tools for video compositing, color correction and sound mixing to produce cinema-quality HD movies with ease. You can also share your creations via DVD, Blu-ray DiscTM media, or upload to the web all from one simple program.

The NEX-VG10 accepts both Memory Stick PRO Duo (including Memory Stick PRO-HG DuoTM) and SD (including both SDHC and SDXC formats) media. Users can record up to four hours of high definition footage (1920x1080, FH mode) when using the 32GB memory card.

Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX offers an industry leading 30MB per second transfer rate, which means Handycamusers can upload video clips in a fraction of actual playback time.

Price and Availability

The NEX-VG10 will be available in September for about $2,000 and presales on www.sonystyle.com will begin July 14. They will also be available at Sony Style retail stores and at authorized dealers nationwide.

Maximum DualHead2Go resolutions have increased from 2x1280x1024 to support 2x1920x1080, and supported TripleHead2Go resolutions have expanded from 3x800x600 to 3x1280x1024 (standard) or 3x1360x768 (widescreen). This enlarged display real estate was previously only available to Matrox DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go customers using graphics solutions from other manufacturers. Now Intel mobile and desktop graphics customers can benefit from higher resolution multi-display support via Matrox DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go Digital or DisplayPort Editions.

"Intel® HD Graphics provides everyday visual computing to millions of PC users, whether they are watching HD movies, playing 3D games, or videoconferencing at the office," said Steve Santamaria, Director of Visual Computing Developer Relations, Intel Corporation. "We are happy to be working with Matrox to enable their DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go products to enhance the visual experience of our common customers."

"This close collaboration between Matrox and Intel ensures that we are providing the best multi-display platform possible for both the Intel 4 Series Chipset with graphics and the new Core 2010 processors with Intel HD Graphics built in," comments Ron Berty, Business Development Manager, Matrox Graphics Inc. "Whether you are deploying enterprise-wide triple-monitor desktop installations, or are a notebook user seeking dual-monitor workstation-like performance, the newest Intel graphics drivers guarantee an unprecedented level of stability and resolution support across Matrox GXM-enabled displays."

Matrox Graphics eXpansion Modules are multi-display upgrades that are easy to set up for notebooks, desktop computers, and workstations. The DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go modules work in conjunction with your system's existing GPU and enable the addition of two or three displays. These external solutions are perfect for platforms previously limited to a single display, such as systems with integrated graphics, systems with no available expansion slots, or systems that are already closed and validated.

Boris FX, the leading developer of integrated effects technology for video and film, announced that a new Boris Continuum Unit, Lens Blur, is now available. The Boris Continuum Lens Blur Unit delivers Lens Blur, Lens Shape, and Lens Transition filters to Adobe and Apple video editing and compositing software. Each filter is mutli-processor accelerated for fast performance on modern computing platforms.

"Boris Continuum Complete 7 introduced highly-sought-after Lens Blur effects that we are pleased to break out as a Boris Continuum Unit," commented Boris Yamnitsky, president and founder, Boris FX. "For just $99, editors and compositors can easily simulate camera lens out-of-focus specular highlights - high-end effects that are now available for an entry-level price."

Boris Continuum Lens Blur Unit Filters

* BCC Lens Blur emulates a popular lens blur or rack defocus effect where out-of-focus highlights of an image clip take on the shape of the lens aperture.

* BCC Lens Shape is a designer effect similar to a rack defocus effect where the shape of the bokeh can be imported from an external layer.

* BCC Lens Transition is a wipe filter that applies a lens blur or rack defocus effect to the specular highlights of outgoing and incoming image clips.

Pricing and AvailabilityThe Boris Continuum Lens Blur Unit is immediately available through the Boris FX worldwide reseller channel and direct from the Boris FX web site at http://www.borisfx.com for an MSRP of $99 USD. Customers who purchase the Boris Continuum Lens Blur Unit or any other Boris Continuum Unit may credit the price of the Unit towards the full Boris Continuum Complete plug-in suite. For more information, please visit the Boris FX web site at http://www.borisfx.com.

Safe Harbor Computers, a leading supplier to video and 3D professionals, today announced that they are now accepting orders for licensing on select Adobe CS5 software, offering electronic downloads almost immediately to customers.

Now available from Safe Harbor, licenses allow users to activate previously installed software such as trial versions, as well as crossgrade from one platform to another. Users who purchase licenses will also acquire portability between two machines. If one owns, or is the primary user of, a single-user or volume license Adobe product that is installed on a computer at work, one can also install and use the software on one secondary computer of the same platform at home or on a portable computer.Licenses are available for newly installed software, upgrades, crossgrades, and with 2-year maintenance plans providing free upgrades to full versions for a full two years after purchase of license. This includes any .dot releases during that 2-year window.

Matrox® Video Products Group today announced the immediate availability of Matrox MAX Technology 2.0 for Matrox MXO2 I/O devices and the Matrox CompressHD card for Mac. Matrox MAX 2.0 for Mac is a unique technology that implements faster than realtime H.264 encoding for resolutions ranging from iPod to HD. It uses a dedicated hardware processor to accelerate the creation of H.264 files for the web, mobile devices, and Blu-ray.

By using specialized hardware acceleration, jobs are finished with amazing speed and system resources are liberated for other tasks. Quality and flexibility are ensured through direct integration with Apple Compressor and support for other applications on the Mac such as Telestream Episode, Final Cut Pro and QuickTime Pro through the QuickTime codec component.

The key feature of this release is the addition of many new control parameters such variable bit rate, constant quality, scene detection, noise filtering and many more, that let users optimize encoding speed and video quality. Web video publishers, in particular, will appreciate the ability of Matrox MAX 2.0 to deliver superb quality video at low bit rates.

"Video professionals delivering H.264 content for the web, iPad, iPhone, iPod, or Blu-ray discs, know how painful it can be to wait for the long encoding times needed to create high-quality video files using software only," said Wayne Andrews, Matrox product manager. "They might even be tempted to sacrifice quality for speed. With Matrox MAX 2.0, they no longer need to even consider making that trade off."

Key features of the Matrox MAX Technology 2.0 for Mac

* Faster than realtime creation of H.264 files, for resolutions ranging from iPod to HD * A specialized, dedicated hardware processor liberates system resources for other tasks * Accelerated encoding for Blu-ray, Apple TV, YouTube, Flash, web formats, and mobile devices including iPad, iPhone, and iPod from various video sources including SD, HD, and RED proxy files up to 2K * Direct integration with Apple Compressor to simplify workflow * Support for Telestream Episode, Final Cut Pro, and QuickTime Pro through the QuickTime codec component * Customizable encoding parameters including VBR, CBR, constant quality, scene detection, noise filtering and many more * Creation of Blu-ray H.264 files that can be authored in Apple Compressor, Adobe Encore, and Roxio Toast then burned without re-encoding * Support for Apple Qmaster to take advantage of multiple systems with a Matrox MAX processing engine for distributed encoding across a network

Price and availabilityMatrox products are available through a worldwide network of authorized dealers. The 2.0 release for Mac is available to registered users of Matrox MXO2 devices and Matrox CompressHD cards as a free download from the Matrox website.

Equipped with 64GB of internal flash memory, the new camcorder can record up to 24 hours of HD video and also includes an SD memory card slot that is fully compatible with latest generation SDXC memory cards. The new SDXC memory card specification increases storage capacity from 32GB up to 2TB and enhances data transfer speeds.

* Smart Auto: Makes shooting great video even easier by utilizing Canon's DIGIC DV III Image Processor to intelligently detect and analyze brightness, color, distance and movement and automatically select the best setting for the scene being recorded. * Touch & Track: Enables users to select a subject on the Touch Panel LCD which will then be recognized and tracked. This sophisticated technology recognizes faces, objects, and even animals, ensuring the subject will always be in focus and properly exposed. * Relay Recording: Allows users to capture uninterrupted video when the primary recording media is full. The camcorder will continue to record a scene by switching from one memory source to the other as it fills up, so that a moment of action will not be missed. * Powered IS: In addition to Canon's Dynamic SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, Powered IS provides an even higher level of compensation for subtle hand movement at the telephoto end of the zoom range. This new enhancement can be engaged by pressing the Powered IS button on the LCD panel. * HD-to-SD Downconversion: Enables users to convert recorded HD video to standard-definition files while preserving the original HD video. These standard-definition files make it even more convenient to share video online or create a DVD.

* Advanced Video Snapshot: Provides the flexibility of capturing two, four, or eight second video clips while recording or during playback.

The VIXIA HF M32 is compatible with Eye-Fi SD memory cards, which makes it easy to wirelessly transfer video content and photos to a computer or sharing site. Eye-Fi SD memory cards feature a built-in Wi-Fi that uses your wireless network to effortlessly transfer photos and videos directly from the camcorder. The VIXIA HF M32 is also compatible with Canon's WP-V2 Waterproof Case allowing users to capture exciting HD footage underwater at depths up to 130 feet.

The VIXIA HF M32 Dual Flash Memory camcorder is scheduled to be available in September for an estimated retail price of $999.99. The Canon WP-V2 Waterproof Case is currently available for an estimated retail price of $599.

SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) is the next generation of the immensely popular USB interface, offering an up to 10x increase in data transfer speed over Hi-Speed USB 2.0, the decade-old interface found in practically every computer sold today. While handy, USB 2.0 is not well suited for supporting external storage devices, limiting their data transfer speeds to approximately 30 MB/sec, even when they are capable of speeds of 125 MB/sec and faster. Sonnet's Allegro USB 3.0 PCIe and USB 3.0 ExpressCard/34 adapters open this bottleneck to better support the speed potential of modern hard disk drives and solid state drives (SSDs).

Both host controllers feature two USB 3.0 ports. The easy-to-install Allegro USB 3.0 PCIe desktop computer card features a PCIe interface for maximum performance, while the plug-in USB 3.0 ExpressCard/34 adapter works in notebook computers with either an ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 slot. Both cards support Windows 7, Windows Vista®, and Windows XP.

Allegro USB 3.0 PCIe (part number USB3-E) and USB 3.0 ExpressCard/34 (part number USB3-2P-E34) are available now with the suggested retail price of USD $49.95 each.

Music 911, Inc. announces the launch of a groundbreaking new service for the music and entertainment industry. Music 911, is a business to business (B2B) service for anyone seeking to find quality licensable music for audio-visual productions, including motion pictures, television programming, commercials, video games, advertising and internet productions. Editors, directors, producers, assistants, supervisors, creative directors and anyone involved in the music arena can find licensable music at pre-determined costs immediately and effortlessly.

Here's how it works: Professionals seeking music for a production or project (aka ‘buyer') posts a music request on Music 911 detailing the creative and business requirements, which includes a pre-determined license fee. The various music companies and representatives (aka "seller") upload MP3s to Music 911 in response to the music requests. The music can then be reviewed by the music seeker. When a musical ‘match' is made the ‘buyer' then contacts the ‘seller' to license the music quickly and directly. The ‘buyer' completes the licensing and payment of fees directly with the ‘seller". Music licensing companies and representatives can become part of the Music 911 service by invitation only. This is done to maintain the efficiency and usefulness of the service to all entertainment professionals looking for quality licensable music.

Music 911 replaces the current, age old methodology of finding appropriate music for creative productions which is extremely time consuming and typically a frustrating experience. The service is efficient, immediate and is quality controlled for finding quality licensable music at pre-determined fees.

Launched amid the 19-date Nuendo 5 World Tour across 14 countries, Nuendo 5 represents a new state-of-the-art production environment tailored to top-flight production studios in post production, live recording and audio production. The wealth of new features includes an ADR toolset, new sound design features such as the unique Clip Packages system, new plug-ins as well as a range of mixing, routing and automation enhancements. Supporting Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 as well as Windows 7, Vista and XP, Nuendo 5 will be available from authorized Steinberg dealers from June 2010 and will cost $2,340 MSRP.

"This is a landmark release for Nuendo, introducing extremely valuable new functionality to what is probably the premiere native production platform for post, live and audio production," comments Timo Wildenhain, Steinberg's Product Marketing Manager for Nuendo. "These days, efficiency, stability and speed in everyday tasks are absolutely critical, as is the ability to adapt software to changing needs and situations. These goals are exactly what Nuendo 5 has been designed to achieve, and have contributed to the overwhelmingly enthusiastic feedback from the first shows on the Nuendo 5 World Tour, which has been amazing so far," Wildenhain adds.

Among the new features presented in Nuendo 5 is a new ADR toolset engineered for audio post, providing new capabilities for spotting including advanced take- and marker handling, EDL import, a new video engine and much more. Clip Packages have been designed specifically for sound editors as a new way of organizing and handling audio as clusters of files across multiple tracks that can be archived, previewed and retrieved almost instantly using the upgraded Nuendo 5 MediaBay. Enhanced mixing features in Nuendo 5 include further developments on the industry-leading Nuendo automation system as well as direct routing with multiple destinations. A new plug-in set with the next-generation Surround Panner and a surround bus Patch Editor further add to the advanced feature set for surround that have been the hallmark of the Nuendo audio engine since its inception. Numerous other additions in Nuendo 5 include a waveform display in the Nuendo mixer, improved compatibility with Pro Tools audio files and automated Batch Export functions.

Nuendo 5 also integrates seamlessly with Steinberg's Nuendo SyncStation synchronizer hardware, providing sample-accurate sync in almost any situation requiring rock-solid sync to almost any modern sync standard. Nuendo 5 also features complete support for a range of controller devices such as Euphonix, WK Audio and the Smart AV Tango.